Device for supplying moistened air to internal-combustion engines



March 8 1927.

R. A. LABBE I DEVICE FOR SUPP-LYING MOISTENED AIR TO INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINES Filed March 24. 1925 I I' I v fll'ae @M' I Y Patented Mar. 8,1927.

nirnn stares PATENT OFFICE.

ROLAND A. LABBE, OF ONAGA, KANSAS.

Application filed March 2'4, 1925. Serial No. 17,963.

This invention relates to a device for supplying moistened air collectedfrom the radiator through the overflow pipe associated therewith to aninternal combustion engine whereby the efliciency in the operation ofthe latter is increased and furthermore reducing the collection ofcarbon in the cylinders to a minimum.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide adevice of the above mentioned character which includes a means forreceiving the steam generated in the radiator, additional means beingprovided for delivering the steam to the hot air pipe associated withthe carburetor of an internal combustion engine whereby the vapor isheated before becoming commingled with the mixture entering the intakemanifold;

A further object is to provide a device of the above mentionedcharacter, which may be readily and easily installed withoutnecessitating any material alterations of the parts of the engine withwhich the same is associated, the same being further, simple inconstruction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further, well adaptedfor the purposes for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course ofthe following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and inwhich like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the device embodying my inventionshowing the same installed, and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the steam collecting casing.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown thepreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates asubstantially rectangular shaped steam collecting casing, the samehaving the lower portion of the side walls thereof gradually convergingtoward the bottom of the casing in the manner clearly illustrated inFigure 2. The steam collecting casing 1 is preferably adapted to besecured to the core of the radiator 2 of an automobile on the inner sidethereof in any suitable manner. The casing is preferably supported at apoint adjacent the upper water chamber of the radiator in the manner asclearly illustrated in Figure 1. Extending upwardly through the top ofthe casing l is the tube 3, the lower end thereof extending downwardlyinto the upper portion of the casing. The upper end of the tube which isdisposed outwardly of the casing connects with the usual overflow pipe 4of the radiator 2 so that the vapors generated in the upper waterchamber of the radiator will pass through the pipe at and the tube 3into the casing 1.

The steam collecting casing 1 is provided with the threaded opening 5,the same being located at a point adjacent the top of the casing. Asteam outlet pipe 6 is threaded at its upper end in said opening 5, andthe opposite end of the pipe 6 communicates with the hot air pipe 7which is associated with the internal combustion engine designatedgenerally by the numeral 8 and the air intake of the carburetor 9 in themanner well known in the art. The purpose of this construction willhereinafter be more fully described.

The reduced lower end of the casing 1 terminates in the threaded pipe 10and a water discharge pipe 11 is connected thereto, said water dischargepipe extending downwardly adjacent the inner side of the core of theradiator in the manner as clearly illustrated in Figure. 1.

With the parts arranged as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, itisobvious that the steam generated in the upper portion of the radiatorwill enter the overflow pipe at and will be collected within the casing.When the internal combustion engine 8 is in operation, the suction willcause a supply of steam to enter the delivery pipe 6 and be dischargedinto the carburetor through the hot air pipe where it is heated so thata quantity of preheated moistened air will be supplied to the mixtureentering the intake manifold, thus increasing the efiiciency of theoperation of the internal combustion engine as well as reducing theconsumption of fuel necessary to operate the latter. Any

excess steam or water which collects in the casing 1 will be dischargedout through the pipe 11 so that there will be no possibility of anywater entering the carburetor through the steam supply pipe 6,

A device of the above mentioned character Will at all times be positiveand efficient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designatedand may be readily installed on an automobile without necessitating thematerial alterations of the parts with Which the device is associated.

The device may not only be used in connection with an automobile, butmay also be used in conjunction with engines of the stationary type sothat steam generated by the engine may be collected and preheated andadmitted to the carburetor in the same manner as heretofore described;

While I have shown the preferred einbodiinent of my invention it is tobe understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to, withoutdeparting from the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new is A steamcollecting device for supplying moistened air from a radiator to aninternal combustion engine including a casing having a lower endrestricted and merging intoa tubular depending extension, a tubeextending through the top of the casing and terminating within thecasing at a point between the top of the casing and the center thereof,said tube adapted to have its outer end connected withthe radiator, oneside of said casing being provided with an opening positioned betweenthe top of the casing and the inner terminal of the tube, said openingadapted to receive a pipe leading from the intake manifold of the en:gine.

In testimony whereof I afiix iny signa ture.

ROLAN D A. LABBE.

